Coin operated vending machine



Oct. 20, 1959 J. w. BARR coIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINE Filed March 2s, 1955 4 sheets-sheet 1 051.20, 1959 J,w, BARR l `2,909,251

COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINE .Filed March 25, 1955 A v 4 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR wes )46175K 59m 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 23, 1955 mn MIIIWM l 15 .mlm w wm wnJ ATTORN Oct. 20, 1959 J.-w. BARR com OPERATED VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 23, 1955 INVENTOR (/f/fs 161766 54e( BY M77@ ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 2,909,261l CoiN oPERATEn vENnlNG MACHINE l James Walter Barr,` Charlotte, N.C., assignor to Taylor The present invention relates to coin operated vending machines and especially to coin mechanisms for machines vending small articles. Y

Machines for Vending packages of peanut butter and sweet-filled sandwiches, cigarettes, candy, peanuts, raisins and the like are well known andlarge quantitiesrof goods are merchandised in this Way. Generally a modern vending machinehas several chutes or stacks each containing a different product or brand. The customer selects the particular brand or product he wishes to purchase, inserts the proper coin, actuates the proper mechanism` and the selected product is dropped to a shelf or receptacle from which the customer may remove it. Y

There are various conditions which a vending 'machine must meet in order to be successful. Basically and broadly stated, a successful vending machine must be such that the customer receives the selected product or has his coin returned, that the mechanism can be operated only with a proper coin, and that the effects of any mechanical failure are kept to a minimum. In an eifort 'to meet and fulfill these conditions, vending machines have become more complex and expensive;

According to the presentinvention a coin operated mechanism for a vending machine is provided-which is simple and rugged in construction and operation and low in cost. One such unitis provided for Veach chute of articles to be vended and each unit is easily and quickly removable without the necessity of Aremoving the other units. Provision is Vmade for Vsimple spring rejection of underesize and underweight coins and for a wiping uragnetic rejection of ferro-magnetic coins, all without the use of additional levers for lthese purposes. Y The coin itself acts as the positive mechanical drive which causes an article to drop andris positively ejected by a mechanism which breaks the positive drive andrcauses Iarticle delivery in such a manner-as to preventan operator from obtaining an article without losing his coin.'k The unit is mounted adjacent the chute `it controls and is so arranged that the articles in the chute actas apart of the4 coin guide to direct the` coin into driving position when present and to allow the coin todrop into the chute when it is empty. y u l i It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine which can be operated only by a proper coin andV which will either deliver the selected product or return the coin tothe customer.

Another object is to provideafvending machine` in which mechanical failure of the, operating mechanism for one product does not alrect ,the 'merchandising of other products. Y

Another object is to .provide a unitary coin operated, package dispensing mechanismV whichV maybe Vreadily attached to or removed from a vending machine.

Another .object is z to provide a coin mechanism for vending machines which will eject improper :and spurious coins or slugs. ci*

Another object is to provide .a vendingmachinecoin mechanism which is simple and inexpensive to manu- ICC facture and which contains a minimum number of parts.

Another object is to provide a vending machine coin mechanism in which the coin constitutes the drive connection between a manually operable handle and the article ejector.

Another object is to provide a vending machine having novel means for returning a coin when the selected product is exhausted.

Another object Iis to provide novel product ejecting means for vending machines.

Another object is to provide a vending machine coin mechanism havingvspring actuated undersize and under- Weight coin ejectors which do not necessitate separate levers. 4

Another object is to provide a vending'machine coin mechanism having a magnetic means for rejecting ferromagnetic coins which operates upon motion of the manual operating lever WithoutV the use of a separate lever for this purpose.

Another object is to provide a vending machine coin mechanism in'which the articles to be vended act as ay mechanism in which the coin constitutes the drive connectionbetween a manually operable handle .and the article ejector and including a means for positively ejecting the coin, 'breaking the drive connection, and completing the motion of the article ejector.

Another object is to provide a mechanism of the foregoing type wherein the coin ejector mechanism also acts as a lock in the at-rest position to prevent the Weight of the articles from moving the article ejector.

Further objects and advantages of the invention Will become apparent upon reference to the following specication and cl-aims and `appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the coin actuated mechanism of `this invention in place on a vending machine.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the mechanism of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective -view of the mechanism of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the chassis of the coin mechanism;

-Figure 5 is a side elevation of the lever plate of the coin mechanism;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the plunger plate of the coin mechanism; 'Y 1 Figure 7 is a sidefelevation of the chassis of the coin mechanism;

Figure 8 is an endelevation Figure 7; 1

.Figure 9 isV a4 fragmentary Vertical section showing the lip for holding the upper end of the coin mechanism on the vending machine panel;

Figure 10 isa side elevational View of another embodiment of the coin actuated mechanism of this invention in place on a vending machine;

Figure 11 is an end elevation of the mechanism of Figure l0; and Figure 12 is a plan view lof the chute ,of a vending machine containing bags'to bevended.

Referring to Figure l of the drawings there is shown at 10 the front panel of a coin controlled dispensing maof the chassis shown in having a door" 116,. A coin controlled mechanismfin-` dicated generally at 18 is attached to the front panell() by means of bolt assembly 20 and alip 21 in panel 10` which engages, in a slot Z2 (Figure 9) on theange 50,

of thefchassis off'the coin mechanism" 18. 2 The coin i mechanism is enclosed by a c'over26 having-'al flange 28Y which is inserted behind a further lip 30 on the panel above the coin mechanism. A front glass of the vending machine may also engageVV the lip 30. A suitable bracket (not shown) is-provided within the cover 26 and engages the forwardmost portion of the chassis of; the coin mechanism to complete afthree point support; The bottom of the cover 26 is secured to the front panel 10 of the dispensingv machine by a suitable lock mechanism, not shown, to permit its` removal for access to the coin mechanisms and `for collection of coins.

The coin mechanism 18- consists of a chassis 32, a plunger or ejector plate 34 and a lever plate 36. The plunger plate 34 and lever plate 36 are pivotally attached toV the chassis 32 by means of a spindle 38 and the plunger plate 34 is provided with an ejector arm 40 which projects into the chute 14. The ejector 40 has an upper surface 42 which engages the under surface ofthe articles to be dispensed and retains them in the chute 14 when the coin mechanism and plunger plate 34 are in theirV at-rest position, as shown in Figure 1. The ejector 40 has a further -surface 43 and nose 44 for ejecting an article 46 which has been allowed to drop to the chute floor 16 by actuation of the coin mechanism. The ejected article 46 passes through an opening 47 in the rear of the chute and drops down to a shelf or receiver (not shown) where it is accessible to the purchaser.

The chassis 32 consists of a flat plate portion 48 having a flange 50 along the 'longitudinal edge. The flange 50 is provided with an elongated slot 51 and a small apertured lip 53 for a purpose to be described in detail hereafter. An aperture 57 is provided in the plate portion 48 for the spindle 38 and an off-set finger 54 is struck from the plate portion to receive and guide the arcuate bottom 56 of the plunger plate 34. Referring to Figure 6, the plunger plate 34 has a hooked support arm S8 which is apertured at 68 to receive the spindle 38 and, in assembled position, the plunger plate 34 is -held slidably against the plate portion 48 of the chassis 32 by the finger 54 and by the lever plate 36 in a manner presently to be described.

A` further pair of offset fingers `62 and 64 are struck from the plate portion 48 of the chassis 32 to receive the lever plate 36 and this latter plate is provided with an aperture 66 for receiving the spindle 38. The arm 401 of the plunger plate 34 is provided with an offset outwardly struck flange or guide `68, best seen in Figures 3 and 6, which receives a downwardly extending .portion 70 of the lever plate 36. This portion 70 is offset inwardly so that it lies in substantial-ly the same plane as the plate 34. Thus in its assembled position, the lever plate 36 is pivoted on the spindle 38 and is held slidably against the plunger plate 34 by the fingers 62 and 64 in the chassis 32 and by flange 68 on the plunger plate 34.

A substantially vertical outstanding finger 72 is attached to the lower edge of the plate portion 48 of the chassis 32, as by spot welding or other suitable means, as is best seen in Figures l, 2 and 3, and a mechanism return spring 74 is connected between the upper end of this finger and an outwardly struck edge 76 on the lever plate 36.

The offset and downwardly extending portion 70 of the lever plate 36 has a leading edge 78 which engages a mating edge 80 on the ejector arm 40 of the plunger plate 34, so that the counterclockwise bias created in lever plate 36 by return spring 74 is imparted to the plunger plate 34. The counterclockwise movement'of both plates is limited by an outwardly struck detent 82 on the arcuate portion 56 of plunger plate 34 which strikes the upright finger '72, as may best be seen in Figure 3. Rearward movement of both plates is limited by'abutment -of the detent 82 against finger 54 in a marmer presently to be discussed in furtherdetail.

upper edge with a pair of inwardly struck coin guide lips 84 and 86. Immediately below these lips there is located a further inwardly struck inclined coin guide Vlip 88 which is adapted to stop the downward movement of a coin dropping between lips 84 and 86. A coin striking this lip rolls down its incline to drop from its lower end between a `further pair of inwardly struck vertical coin guide lips 90A and 92 which are separated by a rectangular aperture 94 in the plate portion 48 of chassis 32.

Referring to Figures 1V and 6, the hooked support arm 58 of plunger plate 34l is provided with an arcuate coin guide edge 96 which stops the downward motion of coins dropping through vertical lips 90 and 92 and guides them to the right in Figure 1- down steps 98 on the plunger 34, across inclined surface 100, and thence over edge 102.

Through its travel, the coin moves in the plane of the plunger plate 34 between the chassis plate 48` and the lever plate 36. Thespace between the plates 36 and 48 is open adjacent the front panel 10fand the panel 10 vhas an aperture 104 which is aligned with the space between plates 36 and 48. The opening in the panel 10 and the spaceA between plates 36 and 48 are normally closed by'a package or articlevin the chute.

As shown in Figure 1, when the chute 14 has been emptied of articles 12, coins dropping off the surface 100 and edge 102 of the plunger plate pass between plates 36 and- 48 and bounce across surfaces 42 and 43 of the escapement arm 40 to come to rest in the receptacle for the articles 12. As long as there is at least one package 106 in the chute 14 the dropping coin strikes the edge of the package, as shown at 108, and drops vertically downwardly, as shown at 110, to strike the ledge 112 (Figure 2) formed by the downwardly extending offset portion 70 of lever plate 36. From here the coin rolls down the ledge 112 and drops into a pocket formed by surface 68 and vertical surface 112 on plunger plate 34, and vertical 'surface 114 on lever plate 36, as illustrated by the position of coin 116.

When the operating lever 118 on lever plate 36 is pulled outwardly by Ia purchaser, the vertical surface 114 on the lever plate 36 abuts the right edge of the coin 11-6, and causes the left edge of the coin to drive the plunger plate 34 to the left in Figure 1. This leftward movement of the plunger plate 34 withdraws the escapement arm 40 from beneath the articles 12 and allows the bottom article 46 to drop to the floor 16 from which it is ejected `by the returning escapement arm.

Referring to Figures 4 and 7, the plate portion 48 of chassis 32 is provided with a coin passage aperture 120 which is so placed as to be opposite the coin 116 (Figure l) when the lever plate 36, and plunger plate 34 are in their extreme leftward or counterclockwise positions as viewed in Figure 1. Au ejection spring 122 is fastened tothe plate portion 48 of chassis 32, as by means of rivets 124, `and terminates in an inwardly bent coin ejection tip 126 which extends through the aperture 120, as is best seen in Figure 4. Thus, referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that when the lever plate 36 and plunger plate 34 are in their extreme leftward or counterclockwise positions, the coin ejection tip 126 of the spring 122 snaps past the vertical edge 112 on the plunger plate 34 to propel the coin 116 through the aperture 120 in plate portion y48 of chassis 32. From here the coin drops into a coin box 128, best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4. When the spring 122 snaps past the edge 112 of the plunger plate 34 it forcibly snaps the plunger plate to its most leftward (open) position to permit dropping of the package.l 'Fhis takes control of the mechanism out of the operators hands and prevents an operator from Iso controlling the operating lever as to pinch the coin in the mechanism and thus receive an article without losing the coin.

Referring to Figure l, it will be seen that when there is no coin in the position 116, leftward movement of the lever plate 36, las by lan operator pulling the lever 118, ordinarily causes no leftward movement of the plunger plate 34 since there is no coin between the surfaces 114 and 112 to serve as a drive connection. In order to prevent leftward movement of the plunger plate 34 due to the weight'of the articles in the chute or due to frictional drag on movement of the lever, ,a smallslot 130 is provided inthe plunger plate 34. When the plunger plate is in its normal rest position, as shown in Figure 1, this slot is immediately adjacent the ejection tip 126 of the spring 122. Any leftward movement of the plunger plate 34 allows the tip 126 to seat in the slot 130 with sufficient tension to lock the plunger plate and prevent any further yleftward movement. When the lever 118 is released and the lever plate 36 returns to the right, the plunger plate 34 is forced back to its rest position by engagement of the surface 78 on lever plate 36 withsurface 80 on plunger plate 34.

Referring to Figures l, 3 and 5, ythe lever plate 36 is provided with an opening 132 adjacent the inclined lip 88 on plate portion 48 of chassis 32, the transverse width ofthe opening 132 being slightly smaller than -the diameter of the coin which is intended to operate the coin mechanism. The plate portion 48 of chassis 32 is provided with a smaller slot 134 located in alignment with the slot 132, and a spring 136 mounted at 138 extends through this smaller slot into the space between plates 36 and 48. This arrangement constitutes a simple undersize coin reject apparatus which forces undersize coins through the slot 132 from which they fall past the coin actuating mechanism 18. No separate reject lever isy necessary.

Underweight coins Iare ejected by means of a similar leverless arrangement comprising spring 140 which extends through `an aperture 142 in the lever plate 36 into the space between the plate portion 48 of chassis 32 and the lever plate. As underweight coins drop between the vertical lips 90 and 92 they are forced through aperture 94 in plate portion 48 of chassis 32 by means of the spring 140 and drop past the coin mechanism. I

In addition to the undersize and underweight reject mechanism, the coin device is provided with a unique rejection mechanism for eliminating ferrohmagnetic washers or slugs. Thus referring to Figures 1 and 3, a small magnet 144 is secured to the lever plate 36 by means of a bracket 146 and screwY 148. An 'aperture' 150 is Y provided in the lever plate immediately above the magnet 144, and a spring 152 having an ejection tip `154 is mounted on the plate portion 48 of chassis 32 by means of rivets 156. l

As a ferro-magnetic washer orV slug drops through the coin actuating-mechanism 18, its downward descent is halted by the magnet 144 and it is magnetically held against the surface of the lever plate 36. When the lever 118 and lever plate36 are then moved to the left,

in Figure l, the magnet holds the washer or slug against the surface of the lever plate until the ejection tip 154 of spring 152 snaps through aperture 150 to eject the Washer or slug through an aligned aperture 158 in plate portion 48 of chassis 32. A

Referring to Figures l, 2, 3 and 5, the lever plate 36 is provided with an inwardly struck linger 159 which extends through a slot 161 (Figures 1, 4 and 7) in the chassis'plate 48. The slot 161is of suicient size to permit free movement of the ringer 159 for a purpose to be described in detail in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12. y j Y g Referring to Figures 1 and'3, the voperation of the device is as follows: When a coin of the proper type is dropped into the slot formedgby plate portion 48, lever plate 36 and coin guide lips 84` and 86 on plate portion 48,* it drops to the position 160 on inclined coin guide lip 88. From here the coin rolls past undersized coin ejector springY 136 and drops between vertical coin guide lips and 92. During this descent the coin falls past underweight coin ejector spring 140, strikes the arcuate surface 96 `of plunger plate 34, and rolls to the right as shown at 162. The coin then drops onto surface 100 on plunger plate 34 and advances to the right past the magnet 144. Assuming the chute 14 of the vending machine to be filled with articles, the coin in position 108 strikes the package -106 and drops downwardly past position 110 onto the ledge 112 in the offset portion 70 of lever plate 36. From here the coin rolls to the left and drops to position 116 on surface 84 of plunger plate 34. The operator now pulls the plunger 118 to the left in Figure l, and thiscauses the lever plate 36 to drive the plunger plate 34 to the left by abutment of the coin with surfaces 112 and 114 on the plunger and lever plates respectively. When the two plates reach their leftmost position the coin 116 is ejected by the ejection tip 126 of springr122 and falls into the coin box 128.

When the chute 14 in the dispensing machine is empty, the moving coin at position `108 in Figure l falls down surfaces 42 and 43, `as shown at position 164, and falls to therarticle removal shelf or chamber to be retrieved by the customer. Since there is no coin between the drive surfaces 114 on lever plate 36 and 112 on plunger plate 34, actuation of the lever 118 does not cause movement of the plunger plate l34. l

Undersized coins are ejected from the device by means of the spring 136; underweight coins are ejected by means of spring 140;and ferro-magnetic washers or slugs are eliminatedby means of the magnet 144 and spring 152.

Referring to Figures 101, 1l and l2, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention which is particularly suited to vending more or less shapeless bags of foodstuffs or other articles. Since the basic construction of this embodiment is similar to that shown in Figures 1 through 9 similar reference numerals in the prime series are used to indicate similar parts. In this embodiment of the invention the chute 14 is provided with a pair' o f opposed channels 200 and 202 (Figure 12) which guide the sides 204 and 206 of a bag 208 containing peanuts, as an example. The plunger plate 34' has a curvate bracket 210 attached thereto by means of a llange 212 and this bracket supports the lowermost bag 214 in the chute 14. The curvate form of the bracket 210 prevents tearing of the bags and also prevents puncture of the bags by operators attempting to remove their contents by thrusting wires or other objects into the bottom of the chute.

A retaining lever 216 is mounted on the chassis plate 32 by means of a pivot pin 218 Which extends through an elongated aperture 220. The lever 216 is urged in a clockwise direction by means of a tension spring 222 connected at one end to the lip 53 on the flange 50 of chassis plate 32', and at the other end to an extension 224 on lever 216. The distal end 226 of the lever 216 is provided with anV elongated linger 228 which extends normal thereto across the chute 14 to support the bags when the lever 216 is in the broken line position shown in Figure 10. As may best be seen in Figure 11, the lever 216 and spring 222 are arranged on the ilange side of the chassis plate 32 and the distal end 226 of the lever extends through the slot 51 in the ilange 50'.

An arm 230 extends upward from the lever 216 above the pivot pin 218 and is engaged by the nger 159 which extends from the lever plate 34 through the slot 161 in the chassis plate 32. In an Vat-rest position the lever 216 is maintained in its solid line position in Figure 10 by means of the spring 222. When the lever plate 34 is `rotated in a clockwise direction the finger 159' forces the arm 230 rearwardly to rotate the lever 216 counterclockwise and place the linger 228 in a supporting position beneath the bag 232 as shown in broken lines in Figure l0. If a coin of tlie proper denomination was inserted prior to movement of lever plate 34' the lowermost bag 214 drops out of the chute while the remaining bags are held in position bythe finger 228` on lever 216. lf no such coin was inserted into the mechanism the action of the lever :216 is the same but the bag 214 does not drop from the chute. Tearing of the bag 232 is preventedby the action of elongated aperture 220 in arm 216 which permits the arm to slideover pivot pin 218 when the linger 228 meets any resistance. The overall operation of this embodiment of the invention is similar to that of the embodiment shown in Figures l through 9.

Vending machines normally have a plurality of chutes, one for each brand or kind of article, and according to the present invention, there is a coin. mechanism for each chute. Thus, if there is a mechanical failure of one coin mechanism, operation of the remaining mechanisms is unaffected and products can be vended from the remaining chutes. Also, service men can carry a few coin mechanisms with them and removal of a defective mechanism and substitution of a working mechanism requires only a few minutes time and only the simplest tools.

The coin mechanism is formed principally of sheet metal and since the various fingers, are formed in the pieces of sheet metal, assembly and inventory problems are held to a minimum. The major working parts have a simple swinging movement and since the package ejector moves onlyV when there is a proper coin in place, forcing the handle is ineffective to release the packages.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims areA therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a coin mechanism for a machine containing a chute for articles to be vended, a plurality of plates forming guides for the sides and edge of a coin inserted into said mechanism, at least two of said plates having edges adjacent said chute, and a third of said plates having a guide edge so arranged as to cause a coin inserted in said mechanism to fall gravitationally into said chute when said chute is empty and to fall downward into said mechanism when said chute contains at least one article.

2. In a coin mechanism for a machine containing a chute for articles to be veuded, a chassis plate removably secured to said machine with an edge of said plate adjacent said chute, a second plate pivotally mounted on said chassis plate in sliding engagement with at least a portion thereof, a third plate pivotally mounted on said chassis plate in sliding engagement with at least a portion of said second plate, said chassis and third plates forming guides for the sides of a coin inserted in said mechanism, said second plate forming a guide for the edges of a coin so inserted, said chassis and third plates forming an open slot adjacentsaid chute, and said guide surface of said second plate being so formed as to cause a coin inserted in said mechanism to fall gravitationally into said chute when said chute is empty and to` fall downward into said mechanism when said chute contains at least one article.

3. In a coin mechanism for amachine containing a stack of mticles to vbe vended, a chassisplate, means for removably securing said chassis plate tok said machineV with an edge thereof adjacent said stack of articles, a plunger plate pivotally mounted on said'chassis plate in sliding engagement with atleast a portion thereof, a lever plate p ivotally mounted on said chassis plate in sliding engagement with at least a portion of said plunger plate, said'chassis and leverplates forming guidesl for the sides of a coin inserted in saidy mechanism, said plunger plate forming a guide for the edges of a coin so inserted, said chassis and lever plates forming an open 4'. In a coinv mechanism for a machine containing a' stack of' articles to be vended, a chassis plate having an upstanding flange, means for removably' securing said flange toA said machine adjacent said' stack of articles, a plunger'plate pivotally mounted on said chassis plate on the side'from which the ange upstands, a lever plate' pivotally mounted on said chassis on the side from which saidflange upstands andin sliding engagement withV at' least a portion of' said plunger plate, said chassis and lever plates forming Aguides for the sides of a coin insertedin said mechanism, said plunger plate'forming a guide for the edges of a coin so inserted, a slot in said ange opposite said stack of articles, said chassis and lever plates forming the sides of a coin chute of which said slot forms an outlet, and said guide surface of said plunger plate being so lformed as to` cause a coin'inserted in said mechanism tov fall gravitationally out of said slot when said stack of articles is exhausted.

5. In a coin mechanism for an article vending machine, a chassisplate, a lever plate pivoted to said chassis plate for movement in atplane parallel-thereto, a plunger plate sandwiched between saidl chassis and lever plates and pivoted-to said chassis plate, a lever on said lever plate, an article support arm on said plunger plate, cooperating coin guide surfaces on said plates to cause a coin of'the proper denomination inserted into said mechanism to act as a drive connection between said lever and plunger plates so thatmovement of said lever plate causes move-V ment of said plunger plate, and a spring having an end bearing against said plunger plate for ejecting said coin when said plunger plate is.moved thereby breaking said drive connection and-forcing said plunger plate into an article releasing position.

6 In a coin mechanism for an article vending machine, a chassis plate, a leverplate pivoted lto said chassis plate for movement in a plane parallel thereto, a plunger plate sandwiched1 between said chassis and lever plates-and pivoted to said chassis plate, a lever on said lever plate, an article support arm on said plunger plate, cooperating coin guide surfaces on said plates to cause a coin of the proper denomination inserted into said mechanism to act-as a drive connection between said leverand plunger plates so that movement of said lever plate causes movement of said plungerplate, and a spring mounted on said chassis plate and having an end bearing against said plunger plate, said plunger plate having detent means engaged by saidend of Isaid-spring to prevent movement of saidfplunger plate when no coin forms said drive connection` 7. In a coin mechanism for an article vendingmachine, a chassis plate, a lever plate pivoted to said chassis plate for ,movement` in a plane parallel thereto, a plunger plate sandwiched between said chassis and lever plates and pivoted to said chassis plate, a lever on said lever plate, an article support arm on said plunger plate, cooperating coin guidey surfaces on said plates to cause a coin of the proper denomination inserted into said mechanism to act v as adriveconnection between said lever and plunger plates so that movement of said lever plate causes movement of said plunger plate, and a spring mounted on said chassis plate and having an end bearing against said plunger plate, said plunger plate having detent means engaged by said end of said spring to prevent movement of said plunger plate when no coin forms said drive connection, said spring being so arranged as to eject the COI! .forming thepdrive connection and snap the plunger plate to an 'article releasing position after said plunger plate has been moved almost to the article releasing position under the drive of said coin.

8. In a coin mechanism for a machine for vending articles, a chassis plate, a lever plate pivoted to said chassis plate for movementin a plane parallel thereto, a plunger plate sandwiched between said chassis and lever plates and pivoted to said chassis plate, a lever on said lever plate for moving said lever plate, a support arm on said plunger plate for supporting said articles When said mechanism is at rest, and cooperating coin guide surfaces on said plates to cause a coin of the proper type inserted into said mechanism to yact as a drive connection between said lever and plunger plates so that movement of said lever plate causes movement of said plunger plate and spring means carried by said plates for horizontally ejecting undesirable coins from said mechanism.

9. A device as set out in claim 8 in which said chassis and lever plates guide the at sides of said coin, and said plunger plate guides the edges thereof.

l0. A device as set out in claim 9 wherein said support arm has one surface which engages a side of an article to be ejected and a second surface which engages the bottom of another article thereabove.

11. In a coin mechanism for a vending machine a ferro-magnetic coin ejector comprising, a movable vertical plate pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis and forming a vertical guide surface for coins inserted in said mechanism, a magnet mounted on said movable plate opposite the path Iof said coins, an aperture in said movable plate adjacent said magnet, and a rigidly mounted spring having an end arranged to bear against said movable plate in one position thereof and to snap through said aperture and eject a ferro-magnetic coin held against said movable plate by said magnet upon movement of said plate.

l2. ln a coin mechanism for a vending machine, a chassis plate, a lever plate pivoted to said chassis plate for movement in 'a plane parallel thereto, a plunger plate sandwiched between said chassis and lever plates and pivoted to said chassis plate, the inner surfaces of said chassis and lever plates acting as guides for the flat sides of a coin and the edge of said plunger plate acting as a guide for the edge of said coin, a magnet attached to said lever plate opposite the path of a coin inserted in said mechanism so as to stop and hold a ferro-magnetic coin, an aperture in said lever plate adjacent said magnet, and a spring mounted on said chassis plate and having an end bearing againstsaid lever plate and arranged to snap through said aperture and eject a coin held by said magnet upon movement of said lever plate.

13. In a coin vending mechanism for a machine containing articles to be vended, a chassis plate, a plunger plate pivotally mounted on and parallel to said chassis plate in sliding engagement with at least a portion thereof, an article support arm on said plunger plate for supporting said articles when said plunger plate is in an at rest condition, a lever plate pivotally mounted on said chassis plate parallel thereto and in sliding engagement with at least a portion of said plunger plate, said lever plate being adapted to drivingly move said plunger plate when a coin of the proper denomination has been inserted in said mechanism, and a lever pivotally mounted on said chassis plate and adapted to be moved by said lever plate into supporting engagement with one of said articles.

14. A mechanism as set out in claim 13 wherein said lever is spring urged to a position out of engagement with said articles.

l5. A mechanism as set out in claim 13 wherein said support arm.- on said plunger plate includes a curvate article supporting portion.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

